Sealed electrical connector

Abstract

Devices and methods for a sealed electrical connector are described herein. Some embodiments include a spring connecting a first PCB to a second PCB, wherein the spring includes a first end portion in contact with the first PCB, a second end portion in contact with the second PCB, and a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, a spacer surrounding the middle portion of the spring, a first seal seated in a first groove of the spacer and in contact with the first PCB, and a second seal seated in a second groove of the spacer and in contact with the second PCB.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An electrical connector, comprising:
 a spring connecting a first printed circuit board (PCB) to a second PCB, wherein the spring includes:
 a first end portion in contact with the first PCB; 
 a second end portion in contact with the second PCB; and 
 a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; 
 
 a spacer surrounding, and separated from, the middle portion of the spring; 
 a first seal seated in a first groove of the spacer and in contact with the first PCB; and 
 a second seal seated in a second groove of the spacer and in contact with the second PCB. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a double conic spring. 
     
     
       3. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the middle portion of the spring has a first diameter, and wherein the first and second end portions each taper from the first diameter to a second diameter. 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the spacer includes an annular projection defining a retaining diameter, and wherein:
 the first diameter exceeds the retaining diameter; and 
 the retaining diameter exceeds the second diameter. 
 
     
     
       5. The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the second seal includes a retaining lip defining a lip diameter, and wherein:
 the first diameter exceeds the lip diameter; and 
 the lip diameter exceeds the second diameter. 
 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is hermetically sealed from outside air by the spacer, the first seal, the second seal, the first PCB, and the second PCB. 
     
     
       7. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first seal and the second seal are made of a thermoplastic rubber material. 
     
     
       8. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first PCB and the second PCB is between 10 and 12 millimeters. 
     
     
       9. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is made of a tinned phosphorous bronze material. 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the second seal includes a plurality of fins, and wherein each of the plurality of fins is in contact with the second PCB. 
     
     
       11. An aspirating smoke detector device, comprising:
 a first printed circuit board (PCB); 
 a second PCB; 
 a spring electrically connecting the first PCB to the second PCB, wherein the spring includes:
 a first end portion in contact with the first PCB; 
 a second end portion in contact with the second PCB; and 
 a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; 
 
 a spacer surrounding, and separated from, the middle portion of the spring; 
 a first seal seated in a first groove of the spacer and in contact with the first PCB; and 
 a second seal seated in a second groove of the spacer and in contact with the second PCB. 
 
     
     
       12. The aspirating smoke detector device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a second spring electrically connecting the first PCB to the second PCB, wherein the second spring includes:
 a third end portion in contact with the first PCB; 
 a fourth end portion in contact with the second PCB; and 
 a second middle portion extending between the third end portion and the fourth end portion; 
 
 a second spacer surrounding the second middle portion; 
 a third seal seated in a third groove of the second spacer and in contact with the first PCB; and 
 a fourth seal seated in a fourth groove of the second spacer and in contact with the second PCB. 
 
     
     
       13. The aspirating smoke detector device of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer is a portion of a manifold of the aspirating smoke detector device. 
     
     
       14. The aspirating smoke detector device of  claim 11 , wherein the first PCB includes a first spring contact point, wherein the second PCB includes a second spring contact point, and wherein the first spring contact point, the second spring contact point, and the spring are made of a same material. 
     
     
       15. The aspirating smoke detector device of  claim 11 , wherein the first PCB is substantially parallel to the second PCB. 
     
     
       16. The aspirating smoke detector device of  claim 11 , wherein the spring is prevented from contacting smoke particles by the spacer, the first seal, the second seal, the first PCB, and the second PCB. 
     
     
       17. A method of manufacturing a sealed electrical connector, comprising:
 providing a spring configured to electrically connect a first printed circuit board (PCB) to a second PCB, wherein the spring includes:
 a first end portion configured to contact the first PCB; 
 a second end portion configured to contact the second PCB; and 
 a middle portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion; 
 
 inserting the spring into a spacer such that the spacer surrounds, and is separated from, the middle portion of the spring; 
 seating a first seal in a first groove of the spacer and a second seal in a second groove of the spacer; 
 bringing the first seal into contact with the first PCB; and 
 bringing the second seal into contact with the second PCB. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the method includes inserting the spring into a lumen defined by an inner surface of the spacer. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the spacer includes an annular projection defining a ledge, and wherein the method includes retaining the spring in the lumen via the ledge. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the second seal includes a retaining lip, and wherein the method includes retaining the spring in the lumen via the retaining lip.